The unbending nature of the Chinese work place is a re-occurring complaint among foreigners. Chinese culture is set on rules and following the rules takes precedent over productivity, efficiency, and even plain old reason. For Chinese workers, knowing their place in society is comfortable and familiar. They look up to their bosses and never ask questions. Most likely, complaints are unvoiced or made in whispers after hours.
I’ve experienced this odd culture class on a daily basis at work. But it really set me off the other day and all because of a typhoon warning.
Actually, there never was a typhoon in our area. It hit Taiwan and then spun south of Hong Kong. But people nonetheless freaked out a bit. So when I showed up for work there were only 15 students when there should have been over 100.
My first thought was that I’d teach my lessons in the morning and then high tail it back to Lamma. Because after-all, I don’t have any other responsibility to these schools besides English lessons. Soon enough I was told that my teaching hours were slashed and I was to use the extra time to “prepare.” What this translated into (for someone who is willing to call a spade a spade) is that I was to get in line with everyone else and look busy for 6 hours.
That’s right. Six hours of reading, journal writing, and hand-writing this article that you now read (because they don’t grant me computer access even though it’s available.) It starts to make me feel undervalued as a worker. I am a protocol. Plain and simple.
But I still gave my best and taught 3 lessons in 2 hours even though I was miffed at the waste of it all. I think most Chinese wouldn’t be stirred by this inflexibility. Instead they would enjoy their light day at work. I believe to be paid for work completed, not the time on a punch card.
Imagine going the other way around. Imagine going from “yes sir, no sir” to a fast paced environment, having to take initiative and think on your toes. The Chinese have a lot of challenges in their future since their aim is to become a heavy world influence.
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